Stocking-supporter.



PATENTED OCT. 3, 1905.

C. W. LATIMBR.

STOCKING SUPPORTER.

APPLICATION FILED DEG.29. 1904.

Kms'm mmiar- W-IAL R if mi;

Jug.

UNITED STATES PATENT FFIGE.

STOCKING-SUPPORTER- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 3, 1905,

Application filed December 29, 1904. Serial No. 238,817.

To all whom it may concern.-

will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to an improved device for supporting stockings, the object being to provide a device of this character which can be simply and easily fastened and unfastened, which will stay securely in place on the stocking even when the stocking is being drawn off and on, and which will be cheap to manufacture; and it consists in the features of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, illustrating my invention, Figure l is a view in perspective showing a supporter made in accordance with my invention in place supporting a stocking. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the clasp portion of my supporter on an enlarged scale. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of same, the lower portion being shown in section on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2 and having a section of the stocking added. Fig. 4: is a horizontal section on the line 4 4 of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 2 of a modified form of clasp. Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the form shown in Fig. 5, the lower portion being shown in section on the line 6 6 of Fig. 5, and, as in Fig. 3, a section of the stocking is added. Fig. 7 is a horizontal section on the line 7 7 of Fig. 5. Fig. 8 is a front elevation of a second modified form of the clasp. Fig. 9 is a side elevation of the clasp shown in Fig. 8, the lower portion being shown in section on the line 9 9 of Fig. 8, and, as in the similar figures, a section of the stocking is added.

I am aware that stocking-supporters of a similar construction have long been used-that is, a supporter comprising an elastic band adapted to encircle the leg just below the knee and having a clasp adapted to be secured to the upper end of the stocking and attached to the elastic band by means of a cord. The cord is passed through a loop on one end of the band and detachably attached to the opposite end by being passed over a hook.

1 loop.

As regards the supporter as a whole, I do not claim to be the first inventor; but my invention is confined to that portion of the supporter by means of which the supporter is detachably secured to the stocking and which I have designated as the clasp. Many devices have been invented for this purpose, but most, if not all, of them have made use of a post or button over which the stocking is pressed and held under the head and against the shank by means of a wire or thin metal This form of clasp rapidly wears the stocking and is not apt to stay firmly in place when the stocking is off of the wearer, but come unfast-ened easily, especially while the stocking is being drawn off or on, thus necessitating frequent adjustment, as well as causing considerable annoyance. My clasp is designed to overcome these and other defects in the devices in use for this purpose at the present time.

In said drawings, 1 represents my supporter shown in position supporting a stocking 2. Said su pporter consists of the clasp 3, adapted to be detachably secured to the stocking, and the endless cord A, which connects the clasp 3 to the band 5. Said band 5 is provided with a loop 6 on one end, through which the cord 4 is passed and by means of which the clasp 3 is permanently secured to said band 5. The opposite end of said band is provided with the hook 7, over which said cord 4 is adapted to be passed in order to fasten said supporter in place about the leg. I have not illustrated the loop and book of the band in detail, as they comprise no part of my invention. The said clasp 3 comprises the member 8, which is practically rectangular in form and which is provided at one end with a central spoonshaped projection 9. Said member 8 is provided along one'edge with a cylindrical-shaped portion 10, through which said cord 4 is adapted tobe passed and in which it is secured in any well-known manner. Along its opposite edge said member 8 is formed so as to produce a longitudinal opening or slot 11, which is provided with an inwardly-projecting spring tongue or lip 12, beneath which said cord 4 is forced, and thereby caused to enter said recess 11. Said cord 4 is adapted to be passed around and beneath said tongue 9 and be drawn tightly against said member 8. In order that the device may be made as 5 balance is made of sheet metal.

thin as possible, so that it will project as little as possible when in place, the said tongue 9 i is curved forward and then back again, thereby forming the space 13, which can be occupied by said cord 4 when in place.

In using my device the tongue 9 is placed inside of the edge of the stocking. The cord I, which is not in the recess 11, is passed 1 around and beneath said tongue from the outside, thus drawing a fold of the stocking up beneath said tongue, as clearly illustrated in Figs. 8, 6, and 9, and is then passed beneath said tongue or lip 12 into said recess 11 and drawn tightly up, where it is adapted to be held in place by means of a ball or sleeve 14, which is tightly secured in position on said cord and is adapted to be drawn against the upper end of said member 8 by the tension of said cord 4 where it passes around said tongue 9 and said stocking.

In Figs. 2, 3, and i I have illustrated my device as formed wholly from one piece of i sheet metal.

i In Figs. 5, 6, and 7 I have shown a clasp formed entirely of wire. In this case the Solid sleeve 10 is replaced by the open wire I coil 15, the spring-tongue 12 by the U-shaped spring wire loop 16, and the spoon-shaped projection 9 by the curved wire loop 17.

In Figs. 8 and 9 I have illustrated a form 1 in which the tongue 9 is made of wire and the In this case the spoon-shaped projection 9 is replaced by the curved wire loop 18.

3 All three forms consist of the same essential parts and are used 1n the same manner.

there is nothing to prevent the stocking being stretched to its full limit circumferentially when pulling same over the heel.

My supporter is exceedingly simple, cheap to manufacture, easy to manipulate, and stays in place.

I claim as my invention 1. A clasp for stocking-supporters, comprising a stocking member provided at one end with a spoon-shaped projection, adapted to be placed inside of the stocking, an endless cord secured at one point to said member, the free portion of said cord being adapted to be drawn tightly around beneath said projection from the outside of the stocking and thereby to draw the stocking up back of said projection, and means for securing said free portion to said member.

2. A clasp for stocking-supporters, comprising a stocking member provided with a projection adapted to be placed inside of the stocking, an endless cord secured at one point to said member, the tree portion of said co. d being adapted to be drawn tightly around beneath said projection, from the outside of the stocking and thereby to draw the stocking up back of said projection, said member being provided with a recess adapted to receive the free portion of said cord, and a sleeve secured to said cord and adapted to engage the end of said member opposite to said projection to hold said cord in position.

3. A clasp for stocking-supporters, comprising a stocking member provided with a curved substantially spoon-shaped projection adapted to be placed inside of the stocking, an endless cord secured at one point to one edge of said member and adapted to engage said stocking and to draw same around and beneath said projection and lie in the hollow of same, and means for securing said free portion to said member.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CLARK IV. LATIMER.

Vitnesses:

A. F. KnLLoGG, FRANK HEIDT. 

